Expert System-Based Exploratory Approach to Cost Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Office Building

Expert system is a conventional method that is in use in cost modeling, considering its advantage over traditional regression method. It is based on this fact, that this study aimed at deploying neural network in cost modeling of reinforced concrete office building. One hundred (100) samples were selected at random and divided into two; one part was used to develop network algorithm while the second part was used for model validation. Neural network was used to generate the model algorithm; the model is divided into 3 modules: the data optimization module, criteria selection with initializing and terminating modules. Regression analysis was carried out and model validated with Jackknife re-sampling technique. The colinearity analysis indicates high level of tolerance and -0.07403 lowest variation prediction quotients to 0.66639 highest variation quotients. Also the Regression coefficient (R-square) value for determining the model fitness is 0.034 with standard error of 0.048 this attest to the fitness of the model generated. The model is flexible in accommodating new data and variables, thus, it allows for regular updating

Comparative effects of farmyard manure, sawdust and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer on growth and yield of garden egg (solanum gilo).

A study was carried to determine the effect of inorganic and organic fertilizer for garden egg production. This is to assess and establish the type that will produce optimum yield. The fertilizer types evaluated were poultry manure, sawdust, NPK 15-15-15.The study was conducted on Alfsoil soil at kabba. The experimental design used was Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments. The treatment were poultry manure (25 tons/hac) T1, sawdust 25 tons/hac (T2), NPK 15-15-15 (400kg/hac)  T3, poultry manure  (25 tons/hac) + NPK 15-15-15  (400kg/hac) T4 and control (No fertilizer application) T5. All the treatments were replicated four times to give a total of twenty (20) Experimental plots. The gross experimental site was 25m x 11m (275m”). Each bed was 1m x 5m (5m”).Planting was carried out using 2 seeds per hole at a spacing of 60cm x 60cm. The plant population per bed was 32 plants and for the whole plots were 640 plants. The result of this study showed that the combination of poultry manure and NPK 15-15-15 had significant effect (P<0.05) on Number of leaves, Number of fruits and weight of fruits (fruit yield).  The yield performance sequence was in the order FYM + NPK 15-15-15 > FYM > sawdust > NPK control. Keywords:-  poultry manure, sawdust, NPK 15-15-15, garden egg, afsoil

Examining males’ perceptions and concerns about adopting modern family planning methods in Delta State, Nigeria

In many parts of Nigeria, women bear the greater burden of family planning responsibilities because of men‘s negative attitude  towards modern family planning methods (MFPMs). This situation has the propensity to promote high fertility and adverse reproductive health outcomes. This study examined men‘s perceptions and concerns about adopting MFPMs in Delta State, Nigeria. Understanding men‘s concerns about the use of MFPMs is important for addressing some misconceptions and stimulating uptake of MFPMs among men. The study was mainly qualitative involving 24 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and three focus group discussions (FGDs) among men ages 15 and 64 years. Findings indicate that most men have knowledge of condom, but regular use was low. Many of them were opposed to their wives‘ adoption of MFPMs. Also, knowledge of vasectomy was low and some men feared that adopting vasectomy would harm their sexual vitality. The study concluded that these concerns operate as barriers to adequate adoption of MFPMs among men. The study recommended intensive reorientation on vasectomy, and men who have achieved their desired fertility can be encouraged to undergo the procedure. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[6]: 68-75)

Gender-Based Competitive Performance In Built Environment Technical Related Courses In A Tertiary Institutionː Covenant University Case Study

Technical Education in recent times has witnessed high patronage in term of subscription from male and female candidates; this is against the school of thought that believes that technical-based disciplines are cut out for men. However in recent times, female candidates seem to be outperforming their male counterpart breaking the norms which tends to have defied reasonable logic. It is against this background that this study carried out comparative analysis of academic performances of male and female students studying technical-based disciplines in selected tertiary institution. Covenant University in Nigeria was chosen as a location of the study. Random sampling method was used in the study, with a sample of 80 students. A structured questionnaire in Likert scale was administered on student of technical based discipline, Eighty (80) questionnaires was administered on the students to harvest their perspective. The responses were further collated, analyzed with SPSS software, processed with Mean Item Score method and presented in tables and charts. Some factors were identified as being responsible for the trend, which includes: Age diference, emotional maturity, intelligence quotient, educational background, external interference, famiy problem, teachers challenge, complex curriculum, psychological problem, family problem, mode of subject delivery, attention to detail among others. Model was presented of an ideal metrics that influences higher performance of female students over their counterpart and what could be done to improve performance of all gender components

Recycling of some selected building materials in the construction industry: Prospect and challenges

The importance of recycling cannot be overemphasized, it decongests items in environment which tends to constitutes pollution nuisance while providing opportunity for reuse of such items, also items recycling returns environment to the state of its naturalness. It is against this background that the study attempt at studying recycling of some selected building materials within the context of their benefits, conceptualization, and awareness about concept of recycling and waste generated. Random sampling technique was used to select the respondents sample and research location. Lagos State, Nigeria, was chosen as research location construction companies and landfills within the state and sample procedure would be as stated above. Seventy (70) Structured questionnaire was used to harvest opinion of people on the subject matter. Also, field research was conducted, field research entails taking data from existing landfills in sites of established waste collection organizations, that is, existing organizations that run recycling operation. Mean Item Score and simple percentage were used to process harvested data. In summary It was discovered that the response to the economic effect of recycling where the purchase of product made from recycled material ranked 1st with a 0.862 index, the next was the participation in recycling for the creation of jobs which ranked 2nd with an index of 0.837, next was their opinion on the construction industries benefits from the recycling industry which ranked 3rd with an index of 0.81 and Participation in recycling for financial reward which was ranked 4th with an index of 0.735. Also discovered was the quantity of materials wasted on the various sites and even though the quantity was low in most of the cases, it still reiterated the need for recycling of construction and renovation waste. From the above stated finding it is important to state that the study was extremely important as it provides information on the method of recycling all the wasted materials instead of carting them away to landfills. Approach to recycling of waste has been presented in this study, it is a believe that this could serve as an awareness about concept of recycling household and environmental wast